Face-to-Face With F.E.A.R.

As an entrepreneur, I love travel especially when there’s an opportunity to mix business with pleasure. That’s why I’m really excited about attending Caterina Rando’s “Breakthrough Luxury Retreat” in California later this month.

I’m looking forward to meeting and mingling with other like-minded businesswomen who are also ready to experience a quantum leap, toward living their ideal personal and professional life.  What I’m not so sure about is – one of the planned activities, a Napa Valley hot air balloon ride.   Although I love the idea of gently and peacefully soaring over lush vineyards and world-famous wineries, the thought of being in a “small open basket” attached to a colorful balloon terrifies me.

Here’s the skinny, a truth only a few people know about me . . . I have a fear of heights.  It came out of nowhere and made its presence known about 15 years ago.  Raw F.E.A.R. – False Evidence Appearing Real greets me face-to-face whenever I ride a multi-story escalator and approach the top.  No need to show me a scary movie or gruesome Halloween mask – just point me toward an escalator and I become weak at the knees, and can already feel my toes curling on the escalator step as I hold onto the rail for dear life.  It’s unexplainable but true.

On occasion, I go for a breakthrough that pushes me past the fear of heights to experience something different.  Saying “yes” at the last minute to parasail off the shores of Maui was exhilarating and then there was the time I had a meltdown on the edge of a Red Rock ledge in Sedona that helped elevate my confidence to new heights.  All these opportunities seem to show up to stretch boundaries and allow me to grow.

How about you?  I’d love to hear what moves you in the face of F.E.A.R – False Evidence Appearing Real?  There’s one last question.  What do you think, will I get in the hot air balloon and float over Napa Valley?  Stay tuned . . . you’ll find out next month!

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MaryAnn D’Ambrosio, Ph.D. is the creator of Flashcards for the Soul™.  Dr. MaryAnn’s passion is to work with individuals and groups who are ready to “leap” and experience a more vibrant, dynamic on-purpose life.  MaryAnn helps educators, coaches, consultants, and professionals dramatically improve their performance and prosperity.  If you’ve been merely surviving instead of thriving, be sure to pick-up your F*R*E*E Overcome Overwhelm Toolkit at:  LeapWithoutLimits.com